Crew at RNLI Rye Harbour get creative
It was a far cry from a normal Sunday training morning when the crew arrived at the station on 24 February
The tables were set out ready for a painting session. Paints, felt tips and pebbles were just waiting for the crew to get creative. There were examples that other people had already done to give inspiration but none was needed as the volunteers came armed with ideas. This session was the crew’s turn to take part in the RNLI Community Pebble-painting project which has been going on for a few months now. The aim is to produce over 900 painted pebbles which will be cemented into a pavement as a permanent memorial in the village to remember the members of the Mary Stanford lifeboat which sank in 1928 with the loss of all seventeen crew.
The results were brilliant and the room buzzed with activity. Some crew members painted three pebbles and a lovely touch was that each one who took part proudly painted his or her crew number on one of their pebbles.
The mother of crew member Joseph Brown came with her friend Jane to paint some too. Jean has been involved with the RNLI as a fundraiser and other supporting roles for over twenty years, and this year marks the thirtieth year of involvement with the station for her husband: truly a dedicated RNLI family. Having thoroughly enjoyed themselves Jean said, ’We spent an amazing morning painting pebbles for the memorial. It is such a lovely idea to bring so many people together on a project that will bring pleasure to so many families in the village who were directly affected ninety years ago. A testimony to the bravery of those men in 1928 will be right in the heart of the village.’
Other families came to a second workshop in the afternoon: Mia, Jorge, Aunty Jo and Uncle Chris, Bex and Andres worked with enthusiasm and created some beautiful pebble designs. Jorge, aged five said, ‘We had the best time ever.’ Mia his older sister said she enjoyed it too. Aunty Jo commented as she left, ‘It is a wonderful way to honour the RNLI in the village. To think that we can come down year in and year out and see our handiwork is amazing. It is wonderful to be a part of this project and we are hoping that there will be more workshops.’
RNLI Media contacts
• Kt Bruce, Rye Harbour RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (07789) 818878 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.